Warning, long post ahead.
Jane, here are some random thoughts on what's playing on Broadway right now:
110 in the Shade-It's not a fun, laughing musical comedy but it's one of my favorite shows and it's got a score with some beautiful songs. I would recommend it even though I haven't seen it yet.
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-This is a fun show (with some adult humor though not crass or unpleasant)
A Chorus Line-Tickets are available and they would probably like it.
Avenue Q-I love this show but there is some "racy" humor and political stuff that may offend some people. I recommend it because I love it but it's not for everyone
Beauty and the Beast-It's closing in July. It's a little too long but for Disney's first foray into live musical theatre I think they did a good job (in spite of the director)
Chicago-I don't think this is what Keith's Aunt and Cousin are looking for (not that I'm saying it's bad, I just don't know if Chicago is right for them)
Coast of Utopia-Not recommened. Not because it's bad (I haven't seen any of the three parts) but based on my knowledge of the productions, it's too heavy for a night in the theatre
The Color Purple-Not "fun" in the fun sense. It's a show with problems but I found much of it quite moving and excellent. I don't know how it will be now with Fantasia in the lead (I know that sounds disparaging but I'm not a fan of stunt casting and though she can sing, this role calls for deep, intense performance, not just hyper Idol singing)
Company-UGH!!!
Coram Boy-Definitely not fun. Not bad if you want an epic theatre experience but it's not a funny night in the theatre
Curtains-I would recommend Curtains
Deuce-UGH again
The Drowsy Chaperone-You know that I love this show and recommend it to all
Frost/Nixon-While this does not fall into the "fun" category it is brilliant and I recommend it to anyone who loves good theatre
Grey Gardens-Again, I love this show (there are just as many who don't, including a dear friend who left after Act the First) but it's not for everyone and I don't classify it as "fun"
Hairspray-This is a fun show. I haven't seen it for a long time so I don't know how it's holding up but it was great when I saw it
Inherit The Wind-Not one of your classic fun shows. I hear it's quite good but I haven't seen it yet
Jersey Boys-If they can get tickets, I would recommend it
Journey's End-Takes place in a trench during World War I. I hear it's brilliant. I will try to see it next week since I can't imagine how much longer it will run with approximately 35% average attendance
Legally Blonde-Fred (FJL) thinks it is a lot of fun. Word of mouth is good and I do want to see it. I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would so I would give this a try
Les Mis-Not "fun" but now that Daphne Ruben-Vega is out of the show it's better. If they have seen it before, there won't be much new. It will be like watching the movie version
The Lion King-It does not reside high on my list of good shows but many people see it and enjoy it mightily so if they can get tickets (they most likely can) they may like it
LoveMusik-You need to be a Kurt Weill fan and again, not a "fun" show
Mamma Mia-I wouldn't recommend it but I have friends whom I respect who saw it and loved it. It is a "fun" show and if they are Abba fans they may enjoy themselves
Mary Poppins-I can recommend it. I honestly enjoyed it. It's not great musical theatre but there is a lot to enjoy
Moon for the Misbegotten-Not for a fun night in the theatre!
Phantom of the Opera-If they like the show it might be fun for them to see it on Broadway. I don't recommend it to people because I'm not a fan but I'm not the grand arbiter of good and bad either
The Pirate Queen-If they like Michael Flatley and Lord of the Dance mixed with Irish history then they might enjoy it. If stomping on the stage with heavy feet and ship oars makes them cringe, then stay away
Prelude to a Kiss-Not a fun show. I did like it very much but I don't think I would recommend it for someone looking for light fare
The Producers-It closes Sunday so that's out
Rent-I would say no. I need my hearing and the music is SO LOUD that I came out with a headache
Spamalot-If either is a fan of Monty Python then they should see the show. It, like the Producers, is NOT the best thing in musical theatre since Oklahoma, but it is a crass, funny and well-done take on a Monty Python movie.
Spring Awakening-Nope. Not because I think it's bad or good, I just don't think Keith's Aunt would like to see German expressionism and teenage angst set to a modern rock score
Talk Radio-Not recommended based on the subject matter. A dark look at the slow descent of a talk radio host
Tarzan-There are some breathtaking moments, especially the beginning shipwreck sequence but the entire evening was rather flat and boring. As I said in my BBC review, it's more like a theme park ride than a Broadway Musical
Wicked-I think the book is much, much better than the show but I have to look at them as two different animals and Wicked is good theatre in the sense that most people leave the show happy and humming. It has done the job it set out to do, I believe.
The Year of Magical Thinking-If they like Vanessa Redgrave and can get a ticket, yes. It's a one-person show based on Joan Didion's book by the same name about her recovery from the unexpected death of her husband. The play has been expanded to include the aftermath of the death of her daughter a short time after the death of her husband. No, it's not "fun"
And that, dear Nursie, is a quick look at what's playing on Broadway. My opinions are just that, my opinions. Some shows I like more than others and while there are shows I wouldn't recommend (because I don't like them) I would never disparage another's choice of show to see or like.
